FIA to investigate MQM’s alleged links to RAW

ISLAMABAD: The FIA has begun investigations over the Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s alleged links to Indian spy agency RAW.

Sarfaraz Merchant, who has claimed that he has information proving the party received funds from RAW has been summoned by the FIA on March 15 at 10am.

Officials at the FIA said that if Merchant does not show up, they will send him a court notice.

Merchant, a close friend of Muhammad Anwar and one of the suspects in London money-laundering case also involving top leaders of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) on March 1, broke silence about the party’s alleged links with India.

Speaking during an exclusive interview with Geo News, Merchant said the Scotland Yard in London had seized several lists of weapons during raids at the MQM chief’s residence as part of the money-laundering investigation.

 He said that the Scotland Yard told him the political party has been receiving Indian funding.

“I shared the official document about Indian funding to MQM with a senior political figure, who was previously associated with MQM and is presently holding a key position in Sindh government,” he said refusing to name anyone.  He said this information was later leaked.

“I was shocked to find that an Indian company in Dubai was transferring money into MQM’s accounts,” he said while replying to a question. 

“I have not been in talking terms with MQM leaders since then and have kept a distance from them.”

Merchant said that MQM leader, Muhammad Anwar used to travel to India on regular basis and once also asked him to come along but he refused.

Sarfaraz Merchant said the Scotland Yard has credible evidence of Indian funding to the MQM.

“Scotland Yard showed me a list of weapons, which carried the name and address of Altaf Hussain,” he said.

Former MQM leaders speak up

In two different press conferences held last week, former MQM leaders Mustafa Kamal and Dr Sagheer Ahmed alleged that the party was receiving funds from RAW.

“We have returned today because every child of Pakistan, every party, the establishment of Pakistan as well as the present and past governments know, that Altaf Hussain has links with the Indian intelligence agency RAW,” Kamal said at a press conference held on March 3 where he unveiled his new party.

In a separate press conference four days later, former health minister Dr Sagheer Ahmed repeated the same allegations. “No member of the Urdu-speaking community, no MQM activist is an enemy of Pakistan. I plead to all those in power to bring this community back into the national fold,” he said.